Residents of Antwerp were left shocked on Saturday night after a 33-year-old man crashed into at least 12 parked cars along Boudewijnstraat before attempting to flee the scene. The incident occurred shortly before 2:00 a.m. and resulted in extensive vehicle damage.
Witnesses who saw the chaotic scene quickly sprang into action. They followed the suspect as he abandoned his heavily damaged rental car and tried to escape on foot towards Ballaarstraat. Local residents managed to detain him until police arrived moments later.
When officers reached the scene, they found the man visibly under the influence of alcohol. Despite his intoxicated state, he denied being the driver of the rental vehicle, claiming he was merely a passenger. However, multiple eyewitnesses contradicted his statement, confirming that he had been behind the wheel when the crashes occurred.
A subsequent breath test revealed that the man had consumed alcohol beyond the legal limit. Authorities then verified that the rental car was indeed registered in his name and showed clear evidence of being driven recklessly. Due to the severity of the incident, the vehicle had to be towed away from the scene for further examination.
According to police reports, the man became increasingly uncooperative during questioning and was taken into custody for his disorderly behaviour. As a consequence of the drunk driving offence, his licence was immediately revoked for 15 days.
Investigators have since left official notices on the damaged vehicles, urging their owners to contact authorities for assistance with insurance and compensation claims.
Local residents expressed frustration over the late-night disturbance, describing the sound of the crashes as “terrifying.” One eyewitness told local media, “It sounded like an explosion—metal hitting metal again and again. It’s a miracle no one was hurt.”
Police are continuing to assess the total cost of the damages and have launched an investigation into the full circumstances of the crash. Authorities also reminded residents about the dangers of drunk driving, especially during weekends, when alcohol-related accidents tend to rise.
This latest incident adds to growing concerns about reckless driving and alcohol consumption in urban areas. Antwerp police reaffirmed their commitment to enforcing stricter road safety checks in the coming weeks to deter similar offences.
